“What the Qur’ân says about the Human Being”

I am so pleased to receive my newest book: An Introduction to Quranic Anthropology. The book is written by the Bosnian scholar Dr. Safvet Halilović and translated into English Nejla Kalajdzislihovic . I was honoured to edit and write its foreword. The first edition appeared in Sarajevo, more editions are expected to appear in Turkey and Cairo.

This book is an important addition to the field of Islamic Anthropology. It provides a sound analysis of the Islamic views of the soul and body and their mutual relation according to Islamic line of thought. What to do or not to do to maintain the wellbeing of the human being is the core question of the book. In order to form clear Islamic views on the development of the human self and its relation with the society and the Creator, the book offers an insightful analysis of the some major scholarly arguments in the topic.

The origin of the human being is always the starting point in understanding his wellbeing and development, the book presents a detailed discussion of the Islamic views of the origin of the soul and the human being and their relation to the creator. The concepts of evolution and the theory of Darwin are also discussed with reference to Islamic faith and belief.

In order to maintain a sound relation between the human being, his own self, those around him, his Creator and the universe, Islam offers the remedy which is to strengthen the connection between the soul and its creator.

The Qur’ân is the Book which Allâh describes in the following way:

People of the Book, Our Messenger has come to make clear to you much of what you have kept hidden of the Scripture, and to overlook much [you have done]. A light has now come to you from God, and a Scripture making things clear, with which God guides to the ways of peace those who follow what pleases Him, bringing them from darkness out into light, by His will, and guiding them to a straight path. (Al-Mâ’ida, 15, 16)

God has sent down the most beautiful of all teachings: a Scripture that is consistent and draws comparisons; that causes the skins of those in awe of their Lord to shiver. Then their skins and their hearts soften at the mention of God: such is God’s guidance. He guides with it whoever He will; no one can guide those God leaves to stray. (Az-Zumar, 23)

In the Qur’ân, it is emphasized that Allâh Almighty revealed the Qur’ân in order for it to be guidance and mercy and good news to those who devote themselves to God. (An-Nahl, 89)

The Quran as a doctrine, main source of legislation and significant connection between the soul and the Creator occupies a considerable part of the book. In this part, the author directs the reader’s attention to the merits of reading the message of Allah and its effect on the spiritual life of the person. It also summarises the main etiquettes and traditions of reciting the Quran.
The Qur’ân is the word of Allâh Almighty addressing people, their thoughts, their heart, their soul and their very being. It is the discourse revealing the existence of Allâh , His characteristics and attributes, His Power, Mercy, Supremacy, Omniscience, etc. The Qur’ân gives answers to all the essential questions of mankind – the origin of human beings, life and purpose of their existence in this world. The Qur’ân also presents teachings, rules and principles human beings should observe in order to attain a joyful and balanced existence in this world. Additionally, it provides human beings with the key to attaining eternal bliss and contentment of their Lord in the Hereafter. After the revelation of the Qur’ân, mankind has been presented with the foundations of the Islamic faith (‘aqîdah), the Islamic law (sharî’ah), as well as the ethics of Islam (akhlâq). Therefore, the Qur’ân is the main source of Islam in the religious, legal and ethical sense.

Based on the Quranic verses and the prophetic tradition, the author documents the Islamic views on major sins stated in order of their evilness and damage to self and to the society. Some original Islamic books are also quoted and referred to so as to present to the reader an authentic view on the danger of sinning. Nevertheless, the book detailed the path of sanity by abstaining from sin. The author explained in details the concept of major sins in Islam, their punishment and the open possibilities of repentance.

The book is considered an eye opener to the concepts of Islamic Anthropology and the reader will positively know more about the triology: Self, God and Society navigating its pages.